What to do with leftover candycanes

January 7, 2011 · 28 Comments

Here is a Friday Flashback that shares some ideas of what to do with any leftover candy canes lurking around your home.

Oh candy cane…

we love you…

but, is time to see you go!

White Chocolate and Peppermint Popcorn

16 oz. white chocolate (can use white chocolate baking morsels) or almond bark
1 cup finely crushed (like sand) peppermints (about 10-12 candy canes or 40 mints) I crush my peppermints in my food processor. The mints will scratch the plastic.
4 quarts popped popcorn (about 1/2 cup corn kernels) I used this to pop my corn, so it had salt. If you are using air popped corn, throw in a pinch of salt when you sprinkle in the crushed peppermints.

Slowly melt white chocolate or almond bark in the microwave or on stove-top with double boiler. Stir often to keep chocolate from burning. Stir 1/2 cup crushed peppermints into the white chocolate. Place popped corn into a large bowl. Pour melted white chocolate and peppermint mixture over the popcorn. Gently stir to coat popcorn while sprinkling remaining crushed peppermints over the popcorn.

Pour out onto parchment paper and allow coating to harden.

oh yummy peppermint popcorn!

Miniature candy canes make great heart suckers and cupcake toppers —perfect for Valentine’s Day! Learn more here.

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28 Responses to “What to do with leftover candycanes”

#1 Mandy January 7, 2011, 7:36 am

I just bought candy canes on clearance because I KNEW there’d be great ideas out there….
#2 Lisa Brown January 7, 2011, 8:15 am

fabulous ideas…pretty and yummy!
#3 Christy January 7, 2011, 8:46 am

I just threw a bunch of candy canes away yesterday! I was tired of looking at them. We had used them for decoration, but no one in our house actually eats them. I wish I had seen this earlier. The heart cupcake is so cute and would have been a perfect use for them.
#4 Stacy January 7, 2011, 9:26 am

We made this last week and it was a hit, the kids loved crushing the candy canes in the blender!
#5 Tierra Lowry January 7, 2011, 10:24 am

I make this every year. About five years ago I made it for people at my husband’s work and they have requested it since then. This year I made it for all my friends too. Let’s just say that I made a TON of popcorn. Definitely a favorite among many.
#6 Kelli January 7, 2011, 10:31 am

Yum! I had a ton of leftover candy canes last year, and I used them to make Valentine cards!
http://the-wilson-world.blogspot.com/2010/02/my-funny-valentine.html
#7 Annabelle January 7, 2011, 11:16 am

I don’t understand why you would want to crush the peppermints in your food processer knowing it will scratch the plastic.
Maybe we should use a rolling pin and put the peppermints in a freezer bag??????
#8 Ruthanne January 7, 2011, 11:21 am

I hope my son’s teachers don’t see this because they are getting some of this for Valentine’s Day! Yum! thank you.
#9 ruth January 7, 2011, 12:06 pm

sounds utterly delicious!
#10 KnitPastis January 7, 2011, 12:25 pm

For a while now I have been going through a mint craving and this sure sounds refreshing.

That cupcake idea is so cute!

Wishing you and yours a Happy New Year!
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#12 Jenn Erickson/Rook No. 17 January 7, 2011, 12:38 pm

I positively adore this idea! I was just picking up stray candycanes around the house today, and always love a new twist on one of my favorite snacks — popcorn! Thank you!
#13 Jessica January 7, 2011, 12:38 pm

We love them in hot chocolate! Mmmm…
#14 Nat January 7, 2011, 12:51 pm

That is a great idea! We used our leftovers to make peppermint ice cream.
#15 Momma Mindy January 7, 2011, 2:47 pm

Nummy! I put crushed candy canes in white chocolate, but the popcorn is a brilliantly delicious idea! Thanks.
#16 Cindy January 7, 2011, 4:24 pm

I made the peppermint popcorn last weekend and it was AMAZING! I had to bring the extra to work so that I wouldn’t sit and eat it all! Thank you for sharing!
#17 Heather January 7, 2011, 7:25 pm

I buy the candy canes on clearance each year and use them as my valentines to my students. They love them!
#18 Tomi Ann January 7, 2011, 8:27 pm

Ooh, yum! That sounds delish!
#19 1 Funky Woman January 7, 2011, 11:50 pm

Darn it, I just tossed them. This sure looks good. I ‘ll go check the clearance bin at Wally World and Target, great idea!
#20 Glamamom January 8, 2011, 6:23 pm

Hmm, popcorn and candy cane? I would have never thunk it!
#21 Meg/Brassy Apple January 9, 2011, 9:26 am

I BOUGHT some candy canes just to make this popcorn for Vday! thanks!!!
#22 Nisha January 10, 2011, 2:21 am

Oh man, my kids would be in heaven over that popcorn!
#23 Kristen January 10, 2011, 6:28 am

That popcorn sounds amazing. I am sure a batch of it would disappear in seconds around my house!
#24 Kristy January 10, 2011, 9:08 am

Oh, my, my, my!! That looks SO yummy! Why did I throw out all our candy canes! This will be awesome next year to make and put in the containers to take to the neighbors for a friendly Christmas treat!
#25 reeve January 12, 2011, 8:16 am

that popcorn looks amazing! If only I wasn’t allergic to corn
#26 adrienne January 13, 2011, 4:49 pm

i made this today!!! yummy yummy!!
#27 Ruthanne February 12, 2011, 2:39 pm

I just made this today and it is delicious! I can’t wait to give it out on Monday. Thanks for the great recipe.
#28 mees December 18, 2011, 4:48 pm

looks yummy! i’m going to make some right now for a christmas party at school! thanks!

Skip to my Lou

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What to do with leftover candycanes

White Chocolate and Peppermint Popcorn

Miniature candy canes make great heart suckers and cupcake toppers —perfect for Valentine’s Day! Learn more here.

You may also like:

28 Responses to “What to do with leftover candycanes”

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Welcome to Skip to my Lou

White Chocolate and Peppermint Popcorn

Miniature candy canes make great heart suckers and cupcake toppers —perfect for Valentine’s Day! Learn more here.

You may also like:

28 Responses to “What to do with leftover candycanes”

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